WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — The Forsyth Fire burning in southern Utah has destroyed at least a dozen homes in the Pine Valley area, the Washington County Sheriff's Department confirmed Friday.
The fire has burned over 1,500 acres and is currently 0% contained. Along with the 12 homes, which include both primary and secondary homes, that have already burned, 400 additional structures are threatened.
Evacuation orders remain in place for the Pine Valley area, and the public is advised to stay away.
For Pine Valley resident Kelly Cannon, the situation became dire within hours of the fire starting.
"They kind of gave us a choice. They were coming down our street and asking if we wanted to stay or go, but I was already headed out of town because the flame looked really scary," she said.
Cannon was one of many people who evacuated.
Resident Kim Teal was able to make it back to her home Friday, keeping an eye on conditions.
"On one hand, I'm trusting in God to make sure we're okay. The way we built our house, we're hoping it's secure," said Teal. "This wind is just killing us. It'll be calm for five minutes and then we'll get this huge gust of wind and it's just carrying embers everywhere."
These conditions are worrying firefighters as well, including Incident Commander Chad Walker.
"With the red flag conditions that we've had these last few days, it made engaging the fire extremely difficult."
Chad Walker is the incident commander for the Forsyth Fire. Along with that high wind, these firefighters have been battling through steep, rocky terrain and high temperatures. He doesn't expect that fight to ease up.
"We have some very challenging conditions over the next few days - red flag warnings with very high winds and high temperatures, low RHs. Those things combined can lead to very unpredictable fire behavior," he said.
And as long as those firefighters are doing what they can for this community, people like Kim Teal are forever grateful.
"I'm just in awe of our firefighters because here we're running away and they're running towards it and I get emotional," said Teal.
The fire began approximately 15 miles north of St. George, and crews since then have reported extreme fire behavior and focused on protecting structures.
There are reported 16 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 Hotshot Crews, 2 Hand Crews, 2 Type 1 Aviation responding.
Air Attack and Large Air Tankers are on order with two dozers.
Over 150 fire personnel are on hand to fight the blaze.
After a calm morning that saw the fire stall a bit, strong winds in the afternoon have only intensified the wildfire.
Pine Valley resident Ryan Snow and his family were packing their last things as the fire crept closer to their home.
"It's sad. It's a beautiful place, you know, and a lot of beautiful homes up there," he said. "A lot of great people up in there."
Pine Valley community under evacuation order as Forsyth Fire rapidly grows:
An evacuation center has been set up at a church in Veyo located at 176 East Center Street.
Just blocks away from the fire line is the 157-year-old Pine Valley Chapel - the longest continually used chapel in the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Smoke rising from the town can be seen in St. George, which is 15 miles away. Firefighters from several cities in southern Utah have rushed in to assist.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
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